Speaking of Ball spline Many people are familiar with its operating principle: it uses balls housed in the outer sleeve of the splined shaft, which smoothly roll within precision-ground grooves to transmit torque from the motor with high sensitivity.

　　However, what you may not know is that ball splines are actually exceptionally well-suited for use in high-speed motion environments and scenarios requiring high positioning accuracy, thanks to their significantly enhanced load-carrying capacity. Compared to linear rail assemblies, ball splines can handle much higher rated loads. Yet from a design perspective, they are smaller in size, making them widely applicable.

　　The splined shaft in the ball spline plays an important role throughout the entire structure. Its composition and function are as follows: The splined shaft has longitudinal keyways on its outer surface, and the rotating parts fitted over the shaft also have corresponding keyways, enabling them to rotate in synchronization with the shaft.

　　Since the ball spline shaft is so important, how is it processed? Today, let’s take a detailed look at the machining methods for spline shafts!

　　Currently, there are many machining methods available for spline shafts on the market. However, strictly classified, these methods mainly include cutting processes such as hobbing, milling, and grinding, as well as some forming processes based on plastic deformation, such as cold forging and cold rolling.

　　1. Rolling cut

　　This machining method uses a spline roller on a spline shaft milling machine or gear hobbing machine, employing the generating method for processing.

　　2. Milling

　　The milling machine has always played a versatile role; therefore, ball spline shafts can be directly machined on the milling machine using specialized form milling cutters, with the tooth profile being milled tooth by tooth using a dividing head. If a form milling cutter is unavailable, two disc milling cutters can be used simultaneously to mill both sides of a single tooth. After milling each tooth individually, a disc milling cutter can be employed to slightly refine the bottom diameter.

　　3. Grinding Method

　　Use a form grinding wheel on a spline shaft grinder to grind the tooth sides and bottom diameters of the splines.